Toy slidable with oscillating motion under gravity down a zigzag slot



July 29, 1969 ROT TOY SLIDABLE WITH OSCILLATING MOTION UNDER GRAVITYDOWN A ZIGZAG SLOT Filed Dec. 4, 1967 mvzcw'rou. DAN ROTH A'I'TOR I'IYSUnited States Patent Olfice 3,457,671 Patented July 29, 1969 US. Cl.46147 12 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A toy including a teeter witha pair of parallel zigzag slots. A different figure is associated witheach slot. The figures slide down the teeter in either direction ofinclination. Each figure has a pendant headed stud the shank of whichextends through the associated slot. Each shank is connected to itsfigure at a point spaced from the center of gravity of the figure. Whenthe teeter is inclined in either direction each figure and stud arecocked with respect to the upper surface of the teeter so that as theshank slides along the zigzag slot the shank and the then rear of thefigure will oscillate about a zone of contact betwen the then front ofthe figure and the upper surface of the teeter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention Toy slidable down aninclined irregular slot under the influence of gravity.

Description of the prior art The toy of the present invention is unique,there being nothing of which the applicant is aware that might properlybe described as prior art.

The closest references of which applicant is aware are those whichdisclose a vertical path with zigzag transverse reaches of substantiallengths down which a shaft rolls, the shaft having elements attached toits opposite ends. The shaft experiences rotation as it proceeds downreach after reach, thereby causing the elements at the ends of the shaftto turn therewith. However, such references are remote to the structureand concept of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention toprovide a unique toy which imparts a new and novel type of movement to afigure, the movement being motivated purely by gravity, so that itmerely requires reversal of the toy to reactivate the same.

It is another object of the invention to provide a toy in which a figurecourses along a substantially straight path with What seem to be tinydarting lateral excursions, so that the toy may be said to have anervous action.

It is another object of the invention to provide a toy in which thefigure descending along the essentially straight path experiences sideto side swinging movement of its head and tail, thereby creating theimpression that the figure is experimenting with a movement to one side,but quickly changes its mind and tries out the movement to the oppositeside.

It is another object of the invention to provide a toy in which a uniquestructural interrelationship is provided between a figure and a track byvirtue of which the hereinabove described unusual type of movement isachieved.

It is another object of the invention to provide a toy in which pluralfigures experience the foregoing movement so that the toys can be racedside by side and thereby furnish a spirit of competition.

It is another object of the invention to provide a toy constitutingrelatively few and simple parts and which is easy and inexpensive tomanufacture.

It is another object of the invention to provide a toy which is ruggedin construction and simple to play with, requiring no skill or learningon the part of the child.

It is another object of the invention to provide a toy the play of whichwill attract children of all ages because of the irregular, irresoluteand quick motions of a figure.

Other objects of the invention in part will be obvious and in part willbe pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combination of elements and arrangements of parts which will beexemplified in the toy hereinafter described and of which the scope ofapplication will be indicated in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings in whichis shown one of the various possible embodiments of the invention,

FIG. 1 is a side view of the toy showing in solid and dot-and-dash linesalternate positions of the teeter and the figures;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged auxiliary view taken substantially along the line33 of FIG. 1 and illustrating alternate transverse positions of one ofthe figures in solid and dotand-dash lines; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line44 of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now in detail to thedrawings, the reference numeral 10 denotes a toy constructed inaccordance with and embodying the present invention. The toy essentiallyconstitutes a teeter 12 and one or more figures 14, 16. The figure 14has been depicted as a mouse and the figure 16 as a duck.

The teeter 12 constitutes a stationary support 18 and a teeter board 20,as well as means 22 pivotally interconnecting the two. For ruggedness ofstructure and ease of manufacture, the base and teeter board, as well asthe pivotal interconnecting means, are manufactured from a syntheticplastic, preferably one which has a high impact resistance, such, forinstance, as polystyrene or a butadiene modified polystyrene.

The stationary support 18 includes a base 24 which presents a long andbroad fiat horizontal undersurface which is adapted to be placed on afiat plane surface, such, for instance, as a floor or a table top.Preferably, the base is formed as an upstanding squat peripheral wall,leaving a large hollow interior so as to minimize the amount of plasticthat is utilized. Portions of the base, such, for instance, as the endsand parts of the center, are furnished with a protruding horizontalflange 26 to enhance stability.

The stationary support 18 further includes standards 28 which extendintegrally upwardly from the base wall and are illustrated in the formof triangles with their apices uppermost. The standards are transverselyregistered and are of the same configuration and dimensions. The edgesof the standards are provided with inwardly extending webs 30. Thesewebs run from adjacent the base where they are joined by an extension 32to and around the apex of each of the standards, as caps 34. Thestandards are fashioned with transversely registered through openings36, the upper part of the edge of each of which is aligned andregistered with the adjacent cap 34 of the associated web 30.

Said openings 36 and caps 34 constitute hearings in which there isjournaled a tubular horizontal shaft 38.

One end of the tubular shaft abuts against a standard 28 (the left-handstandard in FIG. 2). The other end of the tubular shaft extends throughthe right-hand opening 36. It will be observed that the left-handopening 36 is slightly smaller than the right-hand opening 36 to permitthe foregoing arrangement to be effected. The right-hand side of thehollow shaft 38 projects outwardly from the right-hand standard 28 (asviewed in FIG. 2) and has fixed thereto an actuating knob 40.

The teeter board 20 is an elongated element the length of which is suchthat when the board is rocked about a central horizontal transverse axisto either extreme of its movement (as shown by the solid anddot-and-dash lines in FIG. 1), one tip or the other of the board Willstrike the base near an end. The longitudinal sides of the teeter boardhave dependent flanges 42 which are of greater depth at the center ofthe board and gradually reduce toward the tips of the board, for thesake of appearance and as a matter of good structural design.

The central portions of the flanges 42 are provided with transverselyregistered apertures 44, the left-hand aperture 44 (as viewed in FIG. 2)being slightly smaller than the right-hand aperture 44. The tubularshaft 38 passes through the right-hand aperture 44, the right-handflange 42 being sandwiched between the undersurface of the knob 40 andthe outer surface of the right-hand standard 28. The tubular shaft 38 isa tight fit in the righthand aperture 44 and the right-hand flange 42has a sliding clearance against the outer surface of the right-handstandard 28, whereby to permit the teeter board to rock when the knob 40is turned in one direction or the other.

A headed pin 46 has its shank dimensioned to extend in a tight fitthrough the left-hand opening 44, so that the pin will rock with theteeter board. The shank of the pin is a tight fit in the left-hand endof the tubular shaft 38. Hence, the shaft 38, the knob 40 and the pin 46are functionally unitary with the teeter board and they all can rockwith respect to the standards 28. The shank of the pin is a rotatablefit in the left-hand opening 36.

The top 48 of the teeter board is generally flat, being provided,however, with a medial longitudinal trough 50 which stitfens the teeterboard against longitudinal flexing, i.e., flexing about a transverseaxis. The trough 50 subdivides the teeter board into flat-toppedtransversely spaced elongated segments 52 that extend the full length ofthe teeter board.

Each segment 52 has formed therein an elongated zigzag slot 54 that runsfrom adjacent one end of the segment (see FIG. 2) to adjacent the otherend. Each such slot is essentially straight in that the lateraldeviations are small in comparison to the over-all length of the slotfrom end to end. The term length of the slot is used herein to mean thelength along the center line 56 (see FIG. 3) which runs down the slotmidway between the lateral excursions formed by the zigzags.

Each zigzag slot is specifically composed of alternate oppositelyinclined portions 58 the opposite ends of which terminate on oppositesides of the center line 56. As just noted, the length of each of theseportions is relatively short. Typically, the length of any given portion58 is only a few, e.g., two to three, times the width of the slot 54.Moreover, the lengths of these portions are such that the tips of thecrests of the Vs formed along each edge of the slot between successiveoppositely inclined portions are in the immediate region of the centerline 56. From inspection of FIG. 3, it will be observed that this centerline passes through alternate crests of the opposite edges of the slotnear the tips of the crests. In other words, the lengths of the portions58 are so short that these portions do not widely swing from side toside, so that the center line 56 would pass through the alternate crestsat sites remote from the tips of the crests.

The angular inclination of the portions 58 with respect to the centerline 56 is preferably about 45, although the invention will functionwith somewhat larger and somewhat smaller angles, e.g., between 30 and60. The largest angle which can be used will depend upon coefficients offriction and upon the angle of inclination of the teeter board to thehorizontal in either of its extreme positions, as will be obvious to askilled engineer. If the coefficients of friction are somewhat high andthe angle of inclination of the teeter board low, a smaller minimalangle of inclination of the portions 58 will be required and vice versa.The coeflicients of friction are those between the figures 14, 16 andthe teeter board and those between a headed stud subsequently to bedescribed and the teeter board. Coeflicients of friction are minimizedby providing smooth surfaces on parts which experience relative slidingmovement as the figures move down the slots, and by having these partsmade of materials with low coefficients of surface friction. It alreadyhas been observed that the teeter board is fashioned from polystyrene ora butadiene modified polystyrene, which has a low coefficient of surfacefriction. The figures are molded from polyethylene which likewise has alow coefi'cient of surface friction and the headed studs which, inassociation with the figures, move down the slots are made of steelwhich, too, has a low coefiicient of surface friction.

The figures 14 may be of any desired configuration, the ones hereinillustrated being those of animals, to wit, a mouse and a duck. It willbe apparent that figures of other animals can be used, if desired, orfigures of humans, or figures of inanimate objects, preferably objectswhich in real life experience translatory movement, such, for instance,as trucks, automobiles, airplanes, railroad trains, etc.

The upper portion of each figure is fashioned to represent a desiredobject. The lower surface of each figure preferably is substantiallyflat, although deviations from this configuration are permitted, as, forinstance, some rounding of the edges or a slight concavity or convexity.

Each figure has associated therewith a headed stud 60. Although the studcan be made of plastic and attached in any suitable fashion to thefigure, it has been found to be simpler to make the stud of steel; forexample, the stud may simply constitute a thumbtack. The stud dependsfrom the lower surface of the figure, this arrangement being most easilyachieved by pressing the shank of the stud may simply constitute athumbtack. The stud depends tate this interengagement between the shankof the stud and figure, the figure as initially molded desirably isformed with a deep well the mouth of which is at the lower surface ofthe figure and the cross-section of which is smaller than thecross-section of the shank of the stud, so that when the shank isinserted therein it will be with a force fit in order that after suchinsertion the stud will be firmly secured to the figure. The orientationbetween the stud and figure is such that the shank of the stud isperpendicular to the lower surface of the figure and the undersurface ofthe stud (top surface, as shown in FIG. 4, because the stud is upsidedown) faces the lower surface of the figure.

The distance between the facing surfaces of the figure and head of thestud is somewhat in excess, e.g., ,4 inch in excess, of the thickness ofthe teeter board through the slot, so that if the teeter board ishorizontal and the lower surface of the figure rests flatly on the uppersurface of a segment 52, the head of the stud 60 is slightly spaced fromthe lower surface of the segment 52. This clearance prevents the figureand head of the stud from binding on the opposite surfaces of the teeterboard and also permits a cocking action of the figure and stud, soon tobe described, when the teeter board is inclined in either direction.Preferably, the point of connection of the headed stud to the figure isat a location removed, i.e., spaced, from the center of gravity of thefigure. Desirably also, this point of connection is spaced from thecenter of gravity of the figure in a direction rearwardly of the figure,that is to say, if the figure has front and a rear, the headed stud willbe located between the center of gravity of the figure and the rear ofthe figure. Thereby, when the teeter board is inclined in eitherdirection, the initial action of the figure is to swing about the shankof the stud as the center of rotation until the figure has its frontpointed downwardly in the direction it is about to travel. This willavoid the unrealistic appearance of a figure pointing and moving withits rear fore-most.

To describe the operation of the toy, let it be assumed that a figure,whose movement is to be explained, is located at one extreme end of itsassociated slot 54, this being the end which at the moment is adjacentthat end of the teeter board touching the base 24. At this time theshank of the stud 60 is at the then bottom end of the slot and thefigure has its front pointing in a direction down the slot, i.e., towardthe base 24, inasmuch as the figure, acting as a pendulum fulcruming onthe stud. has swung into an orientation in which its center of gravityis lower than the shank of the stud.

Now the knob 40 is manipulated to raise the end of the teeter board atwhich the figure is located to its maximum elevation with respect to thebase, i.e., the opposite end of the teeter board is brought intoabutment with the base. Immediately this occurs, or even as the teeterboard has the figure occupying end raised above the horizontalsufficiently, the figure will swing 180 about its stud, so that itsfront is pointing in the opposite direction toward the far end of thetrack which is now lowermost.

Also the figure will cock, that is to say, it will rock so as toslightly lower its nose and slightly elevate its rear. This occursbecause the figure is overbalanced when the teeter board is inclined ineither extreme position thereof, i.e., the figure is so positioned thatits center of gravity is, when the figure is so inclined, located infront of the front tips of the lower surface of the figure. Thereby, thefront tip of the lower surface of the figure will contact the uppersurface of the teeter board (point A in FIG. 4) while the rear tip ofthe lower surface of the figure will lift clear of the teeter board.This slight rocking of the figure is permitted because of the clearancebetween the space between the figure and the head of the stud on the onehand, and the thickness of the segment 52 on the other hand. The cockingalso causes the rear tip of the head of the stud 60 to contact the lowersurface of the teeter board. This cocking position is clearly shown inFIG. 4.

It will, of course, be understood that at such time, and, indeed, at alltimes, the shank of the stud 60 is disposed within the slot 54, at thisspecific time the shank being located at the then highest end of theslot. The force of gravity acting on the figure tends to make the figureslide down the flat ramp which is constituted by the segment of theinclined teeter board. The angle of inclination is so selected, as arethe various coeificients of friction, that the figure will in thistilted position of the teeter board start sliding down the segment 52.

As the figure slides down, the shank of the stud courses through theZigzag slot experiencing alternate excursions from side to side, whilethe stud rides along alternate oppositely inclined portions 58 of theslot. The front end of the figure, where its lower surface touches theupper surface of the segment 52 at the front of contact A, acts as afulcrum so that the figure oscillates like an upside down pendulum. Inother words, the shank rocks in an arc to the right and left about thepivot point A which is descending down the teeter board ahead of theshank. This causes the nose to swing left and right, since it is aheadof the point of contact A between the figure and the teeter board, andthe rear of the figure to swing right and left (opposite from the headmovement), since it is behind the aforesaid point of contact A. As thisopposite rocking movement of the head and rear is taking place, thefigure is moving down the teeter board. The extreme alternate rockingpositions are shown in full and dot-and-dash lines in FIG. 3. Suchmovement constitutes a series of tiny, darting lateral excursions whichcreate the impression of a nervous action, as if the figure cannot makeup its mind whether to move entirely to the right or entirely to theleft as it progresses down the teeter board. Such erratic, irresolutemovement is attention calling, and, because of its jerkiness, eyecatching and therefore attractive to children. The lateral swayingmotions are small and, indeed, only possible because the distance frompoint A to the shank of the stud is considerably greater, at least twoand preferably at least three times, than the length of the portions'58.

It will be observed that the shank of the stud (and the figure) does notroll down the slot. Rather, it slides down the slot, sliding downalternate oppositely inclined portions 58. Actually, it slides down oneside of the slot as it moves down one portion, then falls off the crestand slides down the opposite side of the slot for the succeedingportion. When the figure then reaches the then lower end of the slot,the motion terminates. The toy can be reactivated by oscillating theknob to change the inclination of the teeter board.

In the illustrated form of the invention two slots and two figures havebeen shown, enabling children to use the toy in a competitive spirit byselectively choosing different figures to win races down the slots.However, it will be understood that only a single figure can be employedwith a single slot or that more than two figures can be employed, eachwith its own slot.

It also will be understood that the element which has been described asthe teeter board can be employed as the member on which a figure slideswithout the necessity of mounting the element for oscillation, that isto say, the stationary support 18 and the pivotal mounting means 22 canbe eliminated without departing from the spirit and scope of theessential novelty of the invention. In such event the element 20 has itsorientation changed simply by manual manipulation, i.e., holding it indifferent desired angular positions, or even oppositely differentvertical positions.

It thus will be seen that there has been provided a toy which achievesthe several objects of the. invention and which is well adapted to meetthe conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention,and as various changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth,it is to be understood that all matter herein described or shown in theaccompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense. Having thus described the invention, there is claimed asnew and desired to be secured by Letters Patent:

1. A toy comprising an elongated element having a smooth fiat uppersurface, a zigzag slot extending longitudinally of and along saidelement, said slot constituting oppositely inclined short portions, afigure slidable along the upper surface of the element, said figurehaving a headed single stud extending from its lower surface with theshank of the stud passing through the slot from the upper surface to thelower surface of the element, the head of the stud being locatedadjacent the lower surface of the element, whereby when the element isinclined end to end to the horizontal without being tilted sideways thefigure will slide down the upper surface of the element toward the thenlower end thereof and the shank of the stud will alternately slide downopposite edges of successive zigzag portions of the slot, the distancefrom the head of the stud to the lower surface of the figure exceedingthe thickness of the element at the slot, the center of gravity of thefigure being forward of the front tip of the lower surface of the figurewhen the element is inclined so that when the element is inclined thefigure and stud will cock with the front end of the lower surface of thefigure contacting the upper surface of the element, the rear end of thefigure raised above the upper surface of the element and the end of thehead of the stud corresponding to the rear end of the figure contactingthe lower surface of the element, whereby as the figure slides down theelement the shank of the stud and rear end of the figure will rock fromside to side about a pivot constituting the point of contact between thefront end of the figure and the upper surface of the element.

2. A toy as set forth in claim 1 wherein the element and figure are madeof synthetic plastic and the stud is made of steel.

3. A toy as set forth in claim 2 wherein the figure is made ofpolyethylene.

4. A toy as set forth in claim 1 wherein the stud extends from thefigure at a point spaced from the center of gravity of the figure.

5. A toy as set forth in claim 4 wherein the figure has a front portionand a rear portion, and wherein the stud extends from the figure at apoint between the center of gravity of the figure and said rear portion.

6. A toy as set forth in claim 1 wherein the tips of the crests of eachedge of the slot are adjacent the straight center line extending fromend to end of the slot.

7. A toy as set forth in claim 1 wherein the angle of the inclinedportions of the slot are from about 30 to about 60 to the straightcenter line extending from end to end of the slot.

8. A toy as set forth in claim 1 wherein the angle of the inclinedportions of the slot is about 45 to the straight center line extendingfrom end to end of the slot.

9. A toy as set forth in claim 1 wherein the length of each inclinedportion of the slot is about two to about three times the width of theslot.

10. A toy as set forth in claim I]. wherein the distance from the pointof contact to the shank of the stud is at least twice the length of theinclined portions.

11. A toy as set forth in claim 1 wherein the distance from the point ofcontact to the shank of the stud is at least three times the length ofthe inclined portions.

12. A toy as set forth in claim 1 wherein the toy includes plural ofsaid slots in mutualy parallel relationship with a different figure andstud slidable along each different slot.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 9/1903 Garrecht 46147 3/1914Heyman 46-147

